John Ingram and Heckfield Claim Championship in BluCreeq Spirits 3’3” Amateur-Owner 36+
Jacob Pope (USA) wasn’t short of good luck charms on Sunday with his parents and barn family supporting him ringside. Highlighting the final day of Week 3 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), presented by NetJets, Pope topped the $62,500 Florida Coast Equipment CSI2* Grand Prix with Highway FBH, owned by Sherri Crawford. Highlighted by 12 weeks of consecutive FEI competition, WEF continues through March 30 at Wellington International in Wellington, FL.
“This is my first win at WEF,” Pope, originally from Maryland but who now bases out of Wellington and Traverse City, MI, shared. “The best I’d done before was second in a WEF Challenge Cup so it’s really special to win, especially with such a great crowd of family and supporters here.”
Among his cheering squad were his parents, his aunt, the horse’s owner, plus his group of students and barnmates who stayed to watch him top the competitive class.
“I always joke that my mom and dad are my good luck charms,” Pope shared. “I won my first grand prix on my dad’s birthday and my second grand prix they were there. Now they’re here today and I won.”
The win didn’t come easy, though, as he was one of 10 to jump clear over Peter Grant’s (CAN) course. From top young riders to Olympians alike, it could have been anyone’s win, but Pope put the pedal to the metal aboard the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Plot Blue x Cornet Obolensky) and claimed the win. They stopped the clock over the short course in 40.19 seconds.
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Jacob Pope and Highway FBH Drive Home with Win in $62,500 Florida Coast Equipment CSI2* Grand Prix